What else needs to be done: The Presidency of BiH has declared on the readiness of our country for EU membership

The Presidency of BiH at today's 14th regular session took note of the Information on the readiness of BiH to submit an application for EU membership and the necessary internal preparations for responding to the European Commission's Questionnaire, reports the Patria news agency.

After reviewing and analyzing the ongoing negotiation process for concluding the Protocol to the Interim Agreement on Trade and Trade-Related Matters between the European Community, on the one hand, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the other, to take into account the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union, and bearing in mind the conclusions of the Council for Foreign Affairs of the European Union of March 16 and October 12, 2015, with the aim of creating the prerequisites for submitting a credible application for membership of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European Union by December 31, 2015, the Presidency of BiH adopted the following Conclusion at its 14th regular session:

1. The position of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina is that it is necessary to revise the Basis for conducting negotiations for concluding the Protocol to the Interim Agreement on Trade and Trade-Related Matters between the European Community, on the one hand, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the other, to take into account the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union, and to establish a new negotiating position for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

2. The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina is tasked with submitting to the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as soon as possible, a proposal for a revised Basis for conducting negotiations for concluding the Protocol to the Interim Agreement on Trade and Trade-Related Matters between the European Community, on the one hand, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the other, to take into account the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union, including a proposal for a new negotiating position and a new composition of the delegation for conducting negotiations.

3. The revised Basis for conducting negotiations and the new negotiating position should enable finding an acceptable solution, which will be based on respecting mutual interests, will include phased adjustment and compensatory measures, in order to ensure the strategic interests of domestic production and create prerequisites for sustainable development of agriculture in Bosnia and Herzegovina and strengthening the ability of domestic producers to cope with competitive pressures and market regulations within the European Union, the Presidency of BiH announced.